Jeep Wrangler 4dr - Trad guy truck??

[cajunbowhntr]

jeeps are cool,chicks love jeeps    Not very practical for a commuter vehicle,not a lot of room for stuff in the 2 door versions.I just don't like the fact that dodge is making them now.All the dodges I've had have been unreliable.The newer 4 door versions look like they have more room and the new modular top system is an improvement.


CB

[Woodduck]

I  edited all non topic stuff:

Got 145,000 on my jeep    

I put a Hitch-Haul that's made in Georgia by a good ole boy, so my Evangelist Baptist neighbor from GA told me.
I like to keep my jeep as low as I can and it's easier for an oldefarte like me to snatch and pull a deer on the back. So I didn't put a lift kit on; just bigger tires.

[knife river]

2002 Tacoma 4x4, 6 cyl, double cab.  21 mpg hwy.  97,000 miles on it.  Replaced one light bulb and a set of tires.  Expect it to last another 100K easily with few problems.  Hard to argue with that.

[Skinner]

Love my Jeep - '67 CJ5.  Not an every day rig though.    :D  

 

[Russ Clagett]

I just sold my toyota xcab 4x4 to a buddy, after buying it new and driving/hunting it for 19 years. It is still in great shape and he'll use it on his place until he's tired of seeing it, just like me.

I got a 2000 tacoma 4x4 xcab now, more powerful v6, locking rear end, auto trans, I'm not gonna know what to do with all that.

In other parts of the world where they dont fool with stupid stuff like EPA restrictions they have a truck called the Hilux, made by toyota. Heavy suspension, diesel engine, four door, 4x4. This machine will literally go anywhere you have the balls to drive it. I have some experience with these in Afghanistan, and they are awesome. I just wish we could get them here.

Make mine a toyt.

[joe c.]

I'm with you woodduck..

[PHANTOM_84]

Go check out the taco's. I have a 2000 Tacoma, 4 cyl, 4x4, auto, regular cab with 180,000 miles on it and it still going strong. The only major problem ive had is with the exhaust manifold they cracking in the center, so I fixed that problem by puting a pace setter header on it. I get 24 mpg highway with a volant cold air intake, header, no catalytic converter, flow master muffler and 31-10.50x15 tires. I got about 26 mpg before I did all that stuff, but at least it sounds cool.

GO TACO'S !!!!!!

[knife river]

Maybe I'm confused (again)...         I thought this thread was about recommending a quality hunting truck...  Now it seems to be drifting into politics.     :rolleyes:  

I smell a lockdown...    

[wapiti792]

Back to the jeep...FOCUS.

OK I own one in a silver color like Ron's. Bought a soft and hard top for it. So far it has withstood a 70mph crash and lived to tell about it. It has survived an elk hunt in Colorado and drove comfortably the 22 hours from the Ill flatlands. It has survived my two kids thus far aside from gummy worm stains and spilled chocolate milk (ages 4 and 6).

Gas mileage is as stated above. I pull a pop-up with no problems and I modified a hitch haul so that when I open the back swing gate I have room. I traded a 2500 Chevy Diesel truck for it and have never looked back. For bowhunting it rocks! Plenty of room for gear and I use the hitch haul to haul out critters...so far used it three times and those dead deer arrived just as secure to my shop than if they were in a pickemup.

[Dale Hajas]

WOW I came home to a pile of posts!! THANK You all!!

I'm kinda "pickup-ed out". Maybe because the Ram 1500 can seat 6. My kids grew up in this truck.

I could stuff most everything I wanted in there too. It's been quite loyal and frankly a good truck. My 2 older kids are now starting to drive. Soon I wont need the big truck anymore.

If any truck is worth anything- a trad guy most likely owns it. Hence my thread. For instance I'm sure if Ron has one and likes his, most likely it's a good dependable vehicle. If the secretary at work that has never been in the woods has one and loves it- it doesnt mean as much to me.

When I took one for a ride, my main worry was the reliability of the V6. You cant tell in 15 minutes. I dont plan on a Rubicon, but the Sahara with the 6 spd manual is what I'm looking for.  Both tops are also mandatory for me.

FWIW- the other vehicle I am considering is a Toyota but not the pickup truck. I also like the FJ Cruiser. But it's a bit more expensive than the Jeep, but I do know the quality of Toyota trucks.

Again Thanks for the responses!

[La. bowhunter]

My wife drives an 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 inline 6 cylinder and she loves it. Has 103,000 miles with no problems whatever. She gets about 20 mpg in town and 24 mpg on the highway.

I drive a 98 Toyota Tacoma ext cab 4X4, 4 cylinder, auto. it has 185,000 miles and no problems. I get 20 to 22 mpg in town and on the highway and that is with 32 x 11.50 mud tires. So it seems that most of the recommendations are pretty good ones hope you can find what you are looking for.

[hunt it]

I have an 05 Rubicon. It's a hunting rig and a toy. The Rubicon comes with a 586 rear end this equals bad gas mileage!!!! Mine see's maybe 8000 miles a yr so not an issue. I have a bunch of Wranglers that I use for fleet vehicles they are bomb proof. Repairs costs have been 1/2 what they used to be prior to the wranglers. Don't but the Rubicon option if you are going to drive this thing everyday. Otherwise the jeep is hard to beat for an american made truck. No question the Toyotas are a supreme mobile by far. But a loaded wrangler is much cheaper than a loaded Tacoma.

[knife river]

I've driven a buddy's FJ Cruiser.  The ride and handling was superb, which was quite surprising for a truck-like rig.  Visibility out the back corners was poor, though, and I hate blind spots.  It's also more fond of gas than my 6 cylinder Tacoma, but I'm sure it would be as rugged and dependable as any other Toyota.

[Dale Hajas]

Knife River- the 1st thing I thought of was the poor visibility on the back of the Cruiser. I too HATE blind spots!

[Ron LaClair]

Did somebody say deer hauler?

 
   

Did somebody say trailer hauler? Here it is hooked to my utility trailer. The Jeep hauled it 1,000 miles round trip, loaded to the gills on the way home with gear and deer. It has the rag top in this picture but I like the hard top best.
 

[Flinttim]

Woodduck, no where in my reply do I even mention the word "Care" much less infer it. My point was that all large corporations give money to groups like the ones you mention and I know in two of those cases so does Daimler/Chrysler (the makers of your Jeep) Anything beyond that is simply your mind working overtime.

[Tox Collector]

I guess I'm kinda partial to the jeep product.  I have a 2000 TJ with an off-road package sporting a 9000i Warn winch, a 2001 XJ and a 2007 KJ.  The first two I use mostly for hunting and off-road activities and around town while the KJ is used more for trips, etc. although I may use it for hunting.  All have skid plates and tow hooks [there are more skid plates under the Liberty than the others].  I have also owned three other Cherokees, a Grand Wagoneer and two CJ's.  Nothing like the feel of traction and power you get with a jeep in four-wheel low range.  I've been on Jeep Jamborees and in some pretty tough places extracating my vehicle, and that's where the jeep product is at its best.  I'll concede to some degree the milage issue, but when I'm off road I want to be certain that I'm going to make it back home.
Tox Collector

[Tox Collector]

I might also mention that my two children grew up with jeeps.  My daughter owns a Liberty and my son drives a Grand Cherokee.

[Woodduck]

Edited, by me, to be topic related, only:

I'll let you talk 'trad bowhunting only' in your 'new vehicles' of choice...

I am still loving my jeep.
For a new one, I'd get the one Ron got or at least one with longest wheelbase.

'Preciate that comment about my mind, working overtime, though, cool.        :cool:

[Ron LaClair]

I got my first Jeep back in the early 70's. I had a neat little 4cly Jeep Scrambler in the early 80's..remember those?

My Son is on his 2nd Jeep and his son, my grandson, has one also...so I guess you could call us a Jeep family.